Assembly passes voyeur video ban

Erin Neff

Friday, April 6, 2001 | 11:09 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Assembly passed a measure Thursday that would make it a felony to videotape for purposes of sexual gratificationsomeone who thinks they are not being watched.

Assembly Bill 305, sponsored by Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, would prohibit the secret videotaping of a person "in a place in which the other person has a reasonable expectation of privacy."

Cegavske said she sponsored the bill after seeing televised reports regarding increasing incidents of video voyeurism around the country.

"I was amazed," Cegavske said. "I didn't believe that happened, and then I heard about it more and more."

Cegavske said when developing her bill she met with representatives of law enforcement, media and civil liberties groups to be sure her measure did not impede First Amendment rights.

The bill defines private places as restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms and personal residences.

Cegavske said she learned of one case in which a man had secretly secured a video camera under a toilet in his home to record unsuspecting female guests while they used the bathroom.

The bill makes video voyeurism a category E felony and makes distribution of the material a category D felony. Both are punishable by up to four years in prison. The category D felony also carries a possible fine of up to $5,000.

The Assembly unanimously approved the measure, which now goes to the Senate.